ISBRA ESBRA Blog

tDCS – an alternative?

Sandra Helinski27. July 2016

Michael A. Nitsche

Non-invasive brain stimulation has been developed during the last years as an interesting new tool to modulate cortical excitability, activity, and plasticity at the regional and network level. One of these tools is transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), which alters respective physiology via application of weak direct currents through the intact skull. Beyond basic physiological effects, it has been suggested that respective stimulation might be suited to alter clinical symptom-related brain physiology alterations. Pilot studies suggest indeed an effect of prefrontal stimulation on aspects of substance-dependent addiction, including alcohol dependency. This talk gives an overview about respective results, chances and limitations of intervention protocols, and future challenges and directions.